Get involved. Get organised. Get Peace Day active.

Yes, it’s good to support Peace Day’s aims, but it’s even better to actively show your support. Don’t worry though… you don’t have to do anything big or fancy (although that’s alright too). Showing your support could simply mean setting aside a few moments for quiet reflection on Peace Day. Orsigning upto Springboard’s Peace Day Campaign.

The point is….do something!

What you can do

Remember, Peace Day is about making an on-going commitment to peace in our society and supporting non-violence in our everyday lives. So why not organise a special Peace Day event that involves your local community, school, church and/or workplace? If as individuals we can nurture an ethos of non-violence in our communities, wherever we live, work, learn and play, then the wider goal of ending global violence has a chance.

Organise your Peace Day

Here are some examples of Peace Day events. They might inspire you to do something similar:

Media – why not write an article for your local newspaper about Peace Day; post a peace video on YouTube; blog about Peace Day; use Twitter and Facebook to spread the word. By using media, you can send your message of Peace Day to local, national and global audiences.

Music & Performance – concerts, dance performances, comedy and theatre are events that inspire people everywhere to celebrate and work for peace and non-violence in their lives.

Petitions/Government – lobby your Assembly members and local councillors to officially observe International Day of Peace every year in the Assembly and city councils.

Education – education is an essential part of peace building. Children can learn about peace through art projects and role plays. Older students and adults can learn more through discussion groups, conflict resolution classes and celebrating Peace Day.

Spiritual – spiritual organisations and/or individuals can observe the day by meditating on peace, praying for peace or participating in the minute of silence for peace at noon on September 21. Peace Day is also a good opportunity to reach out to other spiritual traditions and come together for a day of interfaith discussion and cooperation.

Sports/Health – any sports activity or health-related event can be turned into a celebration of International Day of Peace. Organise a “Game for Peace” where everybody can participate, regardless of talent.

Groups – get others involved through activities such as walks for peace, a picnic for peace, planting trees for peace and releasing peace balloons. Also organise Peace Day activities at work or in your neighbourhood.

Children – there is no better place to start creating a culture of peace for future generations than with children and youth. Get small children to draw pictures of themselves, saying what makes them feel peaceful. Teenagers can do a role play on peace, create peace posters or express “What is Peace?” by drawing or writing, followed by a discussion.